Music is BANNED

Last week, the NI executive updated the Covid restrictions to include the prohibition of all music in any place that sells alcohol. This includes pubs, bars, restaurants and hotels.

I have struggled to wrap my head around why they think this is a good idea. My understanding of it is that they believe loud music encourages louder talking, which can risk spreading more aerosols which then spreads the virus. Ok. But that doesn’t mean music should be banned altogether! Just have a decibel limit!!

By banning music altogether, this is putting thousands of people out of work including touring musicians, DJs, entertainers and wedding suppliers. Not to mention that it will impact upon bars and restaurants who will have fewer customers.

My biggest problem with this, is that the tourism industry in Northern Ireland contributes 4.9% of the GDP (that’s over £1.5 billion). And listening to music in pubs is listed as the Number 1 activity to do for tourists...!

Banning music is more than just limiting artists and destroying the arts culture in NI (which is a huge problem too) but it’s going to have a MASSIVE knock on effect to the economy, for many years to come.

Yet again we’ve been let down by the NI government and their poorly made choices. At this point I think they’re making decisions by pulling ideas out of a hat. 🤦‍♀️

*Photo taken from imro.ie